Richmond superstar Dustin Martin faces a nervous wait with the AFL's Match Review Officer, who could hand the Tigers champion a suspension for an off-the-ball hit on West Coast defender Alex Witherden.

The second-quarter incident sees Martin elbow Witherden's torso approximately 40 metres away from where the ball was being played, with Martin penalised with a down-field free kick by an officiating umpire.

While the on-field penalty hurt Richmond at the time, the elbow to Witherden's body could do further damage and see Martin gain scrutiny from the MRO for striking.

An incident that far away from play is expected to be viewed as 'intentional' conduct under the MRO's assessment, while the contact grading will fall under 'body'.

The level of impact, assuming the MRO views the incident as a reportable offence, will likely determine whether Martin is suspended or walks away with a fine.

If the level of impact is seen as 'low', Martin will be handed a financial sanction, while any impact grading of medium or higher will see the triple Norm Smith Medal winner facing a suspension.

A medium impact grading, coupled with the view of the MRO that Martin's actions were intentional and struck Witherden's body, would see the Richmond veteran ruled out of his side's Round 19 clash with Hawthorn.

Albeit an unlikely outcome, a high impact grading would see Martin rubbed out for two matches.

Interim Tigers coach Andrew McQualter was questioned on the incident in his post-game press conference following his side's 38-point win at Optus Stadium, noting in his response that he hadn't seen the strike at the time.

"I didn't see it, I know it happened. We don't want any of those actions to cost us off the ball," McQualter said.

"Ultimately it hurts the team, but Dustin knows that. He would've known straight away.

"I'm not sure there's too much further in it, is there? Doesn't seem to be. Hopefully it doesn't happen again, it cost the team."

Richmond, who now sit just two points away from sixth on the ladder, will face the Hawks at the MCG next Saturday before returning to the same venue the week after for an enticing contest against Melbourne.

Martin firms as a key piece in the Tigers' September hopes, with McQualter lauding the club great's form over recent weeks.

"I think Dustin is putting together a pretty impressive season," the Tigers coach said.

"Just the numbers he's able to consistently produce, but also the way he impacts games in different ways which is probably hard to justify at times.

"He really controls the tone of our defence, which might sound surprising to some but the energy he gives us, I think he's in a great patch of form. A hungry player that's always looking to get better."

Martin booted two goals from his 23 disposals in Sunday's win over West Coast.